Rapper Nelly Sued Following Sexual Assault Accusation

The alleged victim, a University of Washington student, claims she was sexually assaulted on Nelly's tour bus in Auburn. She said she became the target of online attacks following the arrest. Nelly denies the claim.

Author:
Alex Rozier and Travis Pittman

Published:
3:43 PM EST December 20, 2017

Updated:
3:43 PM EST December 20, 2017

A University of Washington student is suing rapper Nelly for sexual assault and defamation. It comes after the woman accused Nelly of sexually assaulting her on his tour bus in Auburn, Wash., in October.

Nelly, 43, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., performed at the Aston Manor nightclub in Seattle on Oct. 6. The accuser, Monique Greene, says Nelly invited her to a roped-off section of the nightclub.

Greene says she and a friend were invited to join Nelly at an after-party. They were given a ride to the party, but according to the lawsuit, Greene didn't realize it would take place on Nelly's tour bus parked in a Walmart parking lot in Auburn.

The lawsuit states Greene's friend decided not to stay, but the accuser agreed to join Nelly on board. She noted there were several other people on the bus, including women. Greene claims Nelly took her to his bedroom in the back of the bus and sexually assaulted her against her will.

The lawsuit says Greene became increasingly upset and asked to leave. That's when, according to the lawsuit, Nelly's entourage started yelling that Green was a problem. Greene says she was physically pushed out of the bus, the lawsuit claims, and a $100 bill was thrown at her.

Greene says she called for an Uber, but when it arrived, she didn't leave and called 911. When police arrived, the lawsuit says officers noted that Greene seemed afraid, distraught, and upset. The lawsuit states she agreed to give a recorded statement, sign a medical release form, and complete a rape kit.

Nelly was arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape.

His attorney released a statement the next day denying the allegations. The rapper also posted to Twitter.

“Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation. I am completely innocent. I am confident that once the facts are looked at, it will be very clear that I am the victim of a false allegation. I also want to thank my fans for their unwavering support. They know me. I assure you I will be vindicated. And I assure you, I will pursue every legal option to address this defaming claim.”

Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation. I am completely innocent. I am confident that once the facts are looked at , it will be very clear that I am the victim of a false allegation.

Greene then claims in the lawsuit that she was contacted on Oct. 8 by TMZ, even though she says she had not solicited media attention. That wasfollowed by a TMZ storywith a quote from Nelly's attorney.

"It does not surprise me that she wanted to have her story publicized. That is playbook 101 of a person with an agenda and clearly she has one. The agenda is money, fame, and notoriety," attorney Scott Rosenblum told TMZ.

According to the lawsuit, Greene claimed she was promised by the King County Prosecutor's Office on Oct. 9 that no one would know she had given a statement. But the next day, a police commander informed the media that Greene had met with police, according to the lawsuit.

Greene claims she became the target of "horrific online attacks" after word of the arrest hit the press.

On Oct. 13, Greene told police and prosecutors she wanted to end the criminal investigation. Prosecutors said last week they could not proceed with the case because Greene would no longer cooperate.

The lawsuit also cites the "Me Too" movement in support of sexual assault victims and specifically cites a #Metoo tweet sent out by actress Alyssa Milano two days after Greene asked for the criminal investigation to end.

Nelly's attorney said last week that the rapper supports women's advocacy groups that deal with sexual assault, and that he intends to take legal action to restore his reputation.

KING 5 News typically does not name alleged sexual assault victims, but Greene's attorney says she is not asking for her identity to be protected.